Artichoke Leaf Extract: Supports Brain Health, Digestion, and Metabolic Health

Secure Ordering | Free Shipping | Best Quality | Best Prices

Along with providing information on whether Artichoke Leaf Extract supplements might be right for you, this article also links to Fullscript where you can buy high quality supplements. Order online through Fullscript’s secure healthcare formulary to get the best prices and free shipping on professional-grade supplements.

Artichoke leaf extract is obtained from the leaves of the artichoke plant and contains compounds like cynarin and luteolin. These substances are known to assist liver function, provide antioxidant protection, and help manage cholesterol levels. As interest in natural health options grows, artichoke leaf extract is recognized for its straightforward health benefits and its role in supporting various bodily functions.

What Is Artichoke Leaf Extract?

Artichoke leaf extract is derived from the leaves of the artichoke plant, a type of thistle known for its purple flowers. It contains beneficial compounds like cynarin and luteolin, which contribute to its health properties.

Many people use artichoke leaf extract to support liver health. It is thought to help the liver by increasing bile production, which aids in detoxifying the body and improving digestion.

Additionally, the extract is valued for its antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help combat oxidative stress, which occurs when free radicals damage cells. This action helps in maintaining cell health and overall vitality.

Artichoke leaf extract is also used for managing cholesterol levels. It assists in metabolizing cholesterol into bile, facilitating its removal from the body. This process supports cardiovascular health by maintaining proper cholesterol balance.

Available in capsules, tablets, and liquids, artichoke leaf extract is a versatile supplement that can be easily incorporated into daily health routines. It offers a straightforward approach to enhancing liver function, protecting cells, and managing cholesterol.

What Are the Benefits of Artichoke Leaf Extract?

• Supports Liver Health: Artichoke leaf extract is known for its hepatoprotective properties, helping to promote liver health by aiding in toxin elimination and enhancing bile production [PMID: 12587687], which is essential for digesting fats and the detoxification process.
• Lowers Cholesterol Levels: Studies suggest that artichoke leaf extract can help lower bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies indicate that artichoke leaf extract (ALE) can significantly lower LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, mainly due to compounds like luteolin and chlorogenic acid. Cooked artichoke hearts also aid in lipid management through their high soluble fiber content. [PMID: 30308247]
• Improves Digestive Health: The extract can stimulate bile production, which not only supports liver function but also improves fat digestion and may alleviate symptoms of indigestion and bloating. As mentioned in the study, the extracts have traditionally been used as a herbal remedy for dyspepsia (indigestion), and research suggests that it may improve digestion by stimulating bile production and improving liver function. [PMC10666951]
• Antioxidant Properties: Artichoke leaf extract is rich in antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, contributing to overall health and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Artichoke, rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols, offers numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. These properties make it a valuable functional food that can prevent and help manage chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. [PMC10974306]

• Blood Sugar Regulation: Some research indicates that artichoke leaf extract may help regulate blood sugar levels by influencing glucose metabolism, which can be beneficial for people managing diabetes. A study looked at people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) found that supplementation with artichoke extract improved blood glucose, cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and body fat distribution. [PMC7693737]
• Appetite Regulation: Artichoke leaf extract has been observed to influence appetite control, potentially helping to reduce overall caloric intake and support weight loss efforts. This study found that a supplement made from the combination of white kidney beans and artichoke improved satiety, reduced blood sugar levels, and lowered body mass index (BMI) in overweight individuals, suggesting it may help manage weight and blood sugar. [PMID: 21308825]
• Improves Skin Health: Due to its antioxidant properties, artichoke leaf extract can also contribute to healthier skin by protecting against oxidative stress and improving skin elasticity and hydration. Artichoke extract, rich in polyphenols, showed strong anti-aging effects by improving skin roughness and elasticity, enhancing blood flow, and providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in clinical tests. [PMC6278506]
• Enhances Cognitive Function: Some studies suggest that the antioxidant properties of artichoke extract may also benefit cognitive health by preventing oxidative stress and inflammation that can lead to cognitive decline. This study found that artichoke extracts, especially when delivered via specially designed nanoparticles, improved cognitive function and reduced key Alzheimer’s markers. [PMC9610800]

Artichoke leaf extracts are promising for treating neuroinflammation and related disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. The extracts are rich in beneficial compounds like caffeoylquinic acid, apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin. Using nano-formulations, such as solid lipid nanoparticles, can improve the effectiveness of these extracts by enhancing their stability and absorption in the body.

• Supports Heart Health: Beyond cholesterol management, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of artichoke leaf extract can also support overall cardiovascular health by helping to prevent artery damage and improve blood vessel function. This review found that artichoke supplements significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, especially in doses of 500 mg or less, in studies lasting over 8 weeks, with participants under 50 years old. Artichoke supplementation may be beneficial for managing hypertension. PMC9348915
  • A study found significant reductions in total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglycerides, suggesting that artichoke leaf extract may help lower cholesterol by promoting the removal of these substances from the body. [PMID: 22183827]

Is Artichoke Leaf Extract Safe?

Artichoke leaf extract is safe for most people when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Extensive studies have shown that it has a low risk of side effects, and is well-tolerated by the majority of users. Additionally, those with allergies to artichokes or other plants in the Asteraceae family should avoid this supplement. For those who can safely incorporate it, artichoke leaf extract offers a beneficial way to enhance overall health.

Medication Interactions with Artichoke Leaf Extract

• Statins (such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin): Artichoke leaf extract may enhance the cholesterol-lowering effects of these medications. This could increase the risk of side effects, including muscle pain or weakness.
• Diuretics (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and spironolactone): Since artichoke leaf extract has diuretic properties, using it alongside these medications can amplify fluid elimination, potentially leading to dehydration or an imbalance in electrolytes.
• Anticoagulants (such as warfarin) and Antiplatelets (such as clopidogrel and aspirin): Artichoke leaf extract might have an effect on blood clotting. Combining it with these medications could enhance their anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects, increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Medications for bile duct obstruction (such as ursodeoxycholic acid): People taking medications to manage bile duct obstruction should be cautious with artichoke leaf extract due to its ability to stimulate bile production, which could worsen the condition.

Supplement Interactions with Artichoke Leaf Extract

• Milk Thistle: Both artichoke leaf extract and milk thistle support liver health by promoting bile production. Using them together might amplify these effects, potentially leading to an excessive bile flow which could affect digestion.
• Red Yeast Rice: Since red yeast rice is used for cholesterol management and can have effects similar to statins, combining it with artichoke leaf extract might enhance its cholesterol-lowering properties, possibly increasing the risk of side effects like muscle pain.
• Turmeric: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and affects blood clotting. Combining it with artichoke leaf extract, which may also affect clotting, could increase the risk of bleeding.
• Ginkgo Biloba: Like artichoke leaf extract, Ginkgo biloba affects blood clotting. Using these supplements together might further slow clotting, increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding.
• Dandelion: Dandelion also acts as a diuretic. Taking it with artichoke leaf extract, which has similar properties, might enhance the diuretic effect, leading to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.

When you purchase linked products presented on this page, Supplement Sciences, LLC receives affiliate fees so that our dietitians can continue to create great content.

Thank you for your support!

Order Artichoke Leaf Extract Online

Why Professionals Choose the Fullscript Formulary

Your health is on the line. Health professionals know that many other online and retail options set a very low bar for quality–sometimes amazingly low. The Fullscript formulary is the most secure online source for the highest quality brands securely sourced to assure freshness and purity. Here’s what makes Fullscript the best:

• Meticulous vetting of brand quality. Health professionals trust Fullscript to continuously monitor the quality of each item on the platform. Other retailers operate with profit as their highest or only motive when choosing brands. Fullscript cares only about quality and reliability. Unlike discount stores, large online marketplaces, and other retailers you won’t find ingredients sourced from China or other questionable locations or companies.
• Free shipping over $50 and best prices when you order through Supplement Sciences.
• Freshness. Fullscript prioritizes freshness over bulk buying even if it means an increased risk of briefly being out of stock.
• Top quality phone and online support. When you call, knowledgeable humans at Fullscript answer your questions.
• How It Works:
  • Easy Sign-up & No Spam Email: Click the “View Product” button below to be taken to Fullscript’s login page where you can quickly create your secure account with just your name, email, and phone number. Then you will be taken directly to the product page.
  • Wide variety of supplement options: Once you sign in to your account, you are not limited to the products listed below. You will see similar items listed at the bottom of each product page on Fullscript.
  • Search For What You Want: Once inside Fullscript, you can search for the exact brands and products you want from their wide selection of quality brands.

Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.

What To Eat

To Sum It Up

Artichoke leaf extract offers a variety of health benefits worth considering for those looking to support their well-being naturally. It is especially known for promoting liver health through enhanced bile production, which aids in detoxification and digestion. Additionally, its antioxidant properties help protect cells from damage by free radicals, contributing to overall vitality. For people managing their cholesterol levels, artichoke leaf extract can also be a beneficial supplement by assisting in the maintenance of healthy cholesterol. Whether taken in capsule, tablet, or liquid form, this supplement harnesses the power of the artichoke plant to support various aspects of health effectively.

This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.